Bioware's Mass Effect for X360

Microsoft and Bioware have announced a brand new Xbox 360-exclusive RPG at the X05 event in Amsterdam.

It's called Mass Effect, and it was just shown off at Microsoft's mammoth press conference, which has now concluded. It's the first game in a trilogy with an overarching story "where the real conflict between organic beings and artificial intelligence comes to life in startling clarity."

It's set in the 23rd century and exclusive to the platform. Microsoft says it places gamers "in a vast galactic community in danger of being conquered by a legendary agent gone rogue".

Players get to lead a squad of freedom fighters struggling to restore peace. A short trailer was also shown.

Bioware, of course, was the developer responsible for the two Knights of the Old Republic Star Wars RPGs that helped give the Xbox real credibility in that genre, as well as the more recent Jade Empire.